Doctors acquitted of 1984 prostitute murder sue Swedish government

Two doctors who were acquitted of murdering a prostitute 23 years ago have sued the government for 35 million kronor (EUR3.7 million; US$5 million), saying the case ruined their careers, Swedish media reported Tuesday.

The dismembered body of Catrine da Costa was found in garbage bags in 1984 in one of Sweden's most highly publicized murder investigations in recent decades.

The two physicians, a pathologist and a general practitioner, were charged with the murder but acquitted in 1988 for lack of evidence. The court said the men had dismembered the body, but released them because prosecutors never charged them with that crime.

The doctors later lost their medical licenses because of the case.

They have now sued the government, claiming compensation for lost income and damages for emotional distress, Swedish broadcaster TV4 reported.

Several books have been written about the case, which remains unsolved.